Chronology

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Chronology

Milestones in Millikin's Evolution

This chronology is a work in progress. Additional information and links will be continually added.

1827

James Millikin is born August 2, in Ten Mile, Pennsylvania, the son of Abel & Nancy Van Dyke Millikin.

1834

Amos Robinson purchases a forty- acre tract of land near Decatur that includes the present campus, May.

1840s

James Millikin herds cattle and sheep to western Indiana and eastern Illinois, in the area of Danville. He attends Washington (now Washington & Jefferson) College in Pennsylvania and Wabash College in Crawfordsville, IN.

1857

James Millikin marries Anna Bernice Aston, daughter of Rev. Samuel and Hetty Bartlett Aston, a Presbyterian minister on January 1.

1861-1865

An encampment, with drill grounds and barracks are located on the present campus site.

1865

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church establishes Lincoln University at Lincoln, Illinois.

1866

Lincoln University opens for classes, November 5.

1874

James Millikin purchases a 16 acre tract, an area called Oakland Park, the site of the present campus.

1899

Rev. A.W. Hawkins, pastor of Cumberland Presbyterian Church proposes removal of Lincoln University to Decatur. His publicized proposal elicits no response.

1900

James Millikin announces his intention to transfer Lincoln University to Decatur, with financial support through the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the City of Decatur in May.

1901

James Millikin and the Synod of Illinois for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church agree not to transfer Lincoln University to Decatur, October.

State legislature enacted to permit alteration of Lincoln University's charter.

Amended charter of Lincoln University is adopted, establishing the James Millikin University, April 30.

Albert Reynolds Taylor accepts the presidency of the new university.

The three governing boards for the new university are constituted.

Board of Managers of the new Decatur College and Industrial School of the James Millikin University is organized.

Oakland Park is chosen as university site, October.

President Taylor presents curriculum outline, September 19.

Board of Managers selects architect firm of Patton & Miller of Chicago for the Decatur College & Industrial School.

Millikin was recognized by the Association of American Universities, and by the American Association of University Women.

1942

The Trustees of the James Millikin estate convey the former Millikin residence to the university.

1943

Cadets of the Army Air Corps arrive.

Campaign for funds to erect a science building is begun.

1944

Army Air Corp cadets leave the campus.

President Hessler dies in office, July 29. Clarence Lee Miller, Dean of the University, is named acting president.

The Scovill Trust is announced, November 27.

1945

Office of Veterans' Counselor is created.

1946

J. Walter Malone assumes the Presidency of the college, formally inaugurated May 3.

Veterans arrive on campus.

"Campus City" and "Trailer City" are constructed and "Mafair Hall" is purchased and put to use.

Initial campaign for science building construction is completed.

1947

Graduate work in music is instituted, fully accredited. "Fairview Hall" is purchased and put to use.

1948

"Lincoln at Twenty-One" sculpture by Fred Torrey is formally dedicated, October 24.

1949

Major in Education is added to curriculum.

1950

Graduate work in education is instituted, fully accredited.

1952

Hearings before Judge of the Circuit Court Martin E. Morthland are concluded, followed by judicial decrees permitting dissolution of the connection between Lincoln College and the Decatur College & Industrial School, in accord with legislative action.

Millikin celebrates its "Golden Jubilee," the fiftieth year of class instruction.

John Brcin's statue of Stephen Decatur is placed on the grounds of the Art Institute.

The campaign for additional funds to meet increased costs of construction of the science building was launched and completed.

1953

Contracts were let for construction of the science building. Ground was broken for the new science building, May 24.

Board of Trustees deliberate on separation of the two colleges.

Secretary of State of Illinois issues new charter of "Millikin University" as legal successor to the Decatur College and Industrial School of the James Millikin University, July 23.

University celebrates its semi-centennial.

Courses by television are inaugurated, Millikin being first in the state of Illinois to offer courses via the new medium.

1954

First Scovill Prizes awarded.

1955

Scovill Science Hall is opened for use.

"Tree planting Day" on campus, November 28.

1956

President J. Walter Malone announces his retirement. C.L. Miller serves as acting president for second time.

Television courses for credit are broadcast over WCIA in Champaign.

1957

Paul Leonard McKay is elected president. Formal installation of President McKay held on October 17. Malone Chapel is dedicated, November 10.

1958

Board of Managers is eliminated, restructuring the university's governing boards into a larger Board of Trustees.

First "Parents' Day", combining previous "Mom'" and "Dads'" Days, is observed, October 18.

President Paul McKay reveals his "Design for Excellence" to the public, April 27.

Ground broken for the men's residence hall and student union (University Center) by Eugenia Allin and Albert Taylor Mills, members of the first faculty, May 31.

1960

Men's Residence Hall (later named Mills Hall) and University Center are occupied.

1961

Walker Hall for women was completed.

1962

Interior of Aston Hall is completely remodeled and refurbished.

Last residents of World War II era barracks leave, August.

Albert Taylor Mills, first professor of history at Millikin, dies December 17.

1964

A new home for the Anna B. Millikin Home for Women is built in Greenwood urban renewal area, and the old Anna Millikin Home is turned over to the university.

1965

Blackburn Hall is occupied. Millikin is a charter member of the Central States College Association.

1966

$12.5 million campaign is announced with $3 million earmarked for construction of fine arts center and physical education center

1967

Hessler Hall for men is dedicated and Men's Residence Hall is formally christened "Mills Hall" at Homecoming.

Announcement that graduate programs in music and education would be phased out by August 1973.

A Human Relations Commission was established, and a new group for minority students, For Soul Only, is established.

Collage, a literary publication, appears as a supplement to the Decaturian.

1969

The Decatur Art Institute is dissolved. The 100,000th book is accession in the library.